Angel Cruz, (left) makes his first court appearance in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City, December 27, 2012. Cruz was charged with aggravated assault when he bit his wife's ear and caused a partial detachment of the earlobe. (Sarah Nathan/The Jersey Journal)

A Bayonne man bit off a portion of his wife's ear and has been charged with aggravated assault, according to a criminal complaint.

Angel Cruz, 36, was arrested by Bayonne police early this morning, the criminal complaint said. Cruz pushed his wife to the ground and bit her ear, causing a partial detachment of the earlobe, the complaint says.

Bayonne Sgt. Robert Ryan said police responded to the incident on the 600 block of Avenue A and there was a child in the home, but the child was not harmed.

Cruz appeared in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City before Judge Richard Nieto. this afternoon. He remained silent during the proceedings, except to respond to Nieto's inquiry as to whether he had a place to stay other than his Avenue A apartment.
“That's where I live your honor,” Cruz said.
“Not anymore,” said Nieto, who ordered that Cruz have no contact with his wife or children.

Nieto informed Cruz that the allegations are serious and if convicted, Cruz could be sentenced up to 10 years in prision.

Cruz's bail was set at $50,000 with a 10 percent cash option of $5,000